Members of the Lancaster Jesse Jones Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) recently spent a week at the Pennsylvania Wing's Cadet Training Schools, either continuing their cadet development through hands-on learning and leadership training or by serving on staff. The program concluded with a formal graduation ceremony on June 28.

The Pennsylvania Wing of CAP holds an annual weeklong summer encampment at Fort Indiantown Gap. It includes Basic Encampment, a Leadership Development Course, a STEM Academy, and the Color Guard Academy.

This year's Basic Encampment program included drill training, warrior knowledge, sports, relay races, physical training, obstacle courses, and aerospace activities. During this process, the cadets learned how to work in a team, built camaraderie, gained independence, and made memories.

STEM Academy cadets built solar-powered robots, soldered electronic kits, and explored digital forensics. They also participated in trips, including a tour of the Penn State Breazeale Reactor, a trip to Bloomsburg to learn about aerospace engineering, and a visit to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Those participating in the Leadership Development Course experienced public speaking, leadership reaction challenges, rappelling from a 200-foot tower, leading drill, learning about different leadership styles, and flying in a UH-60 Black Hawk. The Color Guard Academy cadets not only trained on flag opening ceremonies, but they also took part in the Battle of the Bulge wreath-laying event and presented the colors at a Stormers baseball game.

The Jesse Jones Composite Squadron cadets who completed Basic Encampment are Cadet Senior Airmen Luca Hermosillo and Noah Hermosillo, both of Wrightsville; Cadet Airman 1st Class Kaiden Painter of Leola; and Cadet Senior Airman Theodore Seifferlein of Landisville. Cadet Staff Sgt. Gabriel Catherman of Windsor attended the STEM Academy, where he participated in advanced science and technology activities.

In addition, several cadets from the squadron served on staff this year. Cadet Maj. Judah Acosta of Lancaster was the encampment group commander, Cadet Maj. Jereco Acosta of Lancaster served as the cadet training officer for the Leadership Development Course, and Cadet Maj. Aaron Keohane of Pequea served as Squadron 10 deputy commander.

Two Jesse Jones Composite Squadron senior members volunteered at the Pennsylvania Wing Training Schools. 2nd Lt. Theresa Diehl of Lititz and 2nd Lt. Lisa Catherman of Windsor spent the week helping in the dining facilities.

Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets each Monday except holidays at 7 p.m. in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at the Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road. Visitors are welcome.

The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. To learn more, visit http://www.cap.news or http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com. Information about Squadron 304 is available by visiting http://www.JesseJones.cap.gov or following the squadron on Facebook.